The evolution of protein-coding gene structure in eukaryotes

Introns are highly prevalent in most eukaryotic genomes. Despite the accumulating evidence for benefits conferred by the possession of introns, their specific roles and functions, as well as the processes shaping their evolution, are still only partially understood. Here we explore the evolution of the eukaryotic gene intron-exon structure by focusing on several key features such as the intron length, the number of introns, and the intron-to-exon ratio of protein-coding genes. We utilize whole genome data from 590 species covering the main eukaryotic taxonomic groups and analyze them within a statistical phylogenetic framework. We found that the basic gene structure differs markedly among the main eukaryotic phyla, with animals, and particularly chordates, displaying intron-rich genes, compared to plants and fungi. Reconstruction of gene structure evolution suggests that these differences had evolved prior to the divergence of the phyla, and have remained mostly conserved within groups...., , , # The evolution of protein-coding gene structure in eukaryotes

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.zcrjdfnm1](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.zcrjdfnm1)

Data related to the manuscript \"The evolution of protein-coding gene structure in eukaryotes\", currently in preparation.

#### Author Information

Corresponding Investigator
Name: Lior Glick
Institution: Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Email: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])
Co-investigator 1
Name: Silvia Castiglione
Institution: University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Co-investigator 2
Name: Gil Loewenthal
Institution: Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Co-investigator 3
Name: Prof. Pasquale Raia
Institution: University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Co-investigator 4
Name: Prof. Tal Pupko
Institution: Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Co-investigator 5
Name: Prof. Itay Matrose
Institution: Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

## Description of the data and file structure

This data set ...